Amazon donates Kindles to special needs students at Anderson School in San Bernardino

The 50 new Kindles Amazon gave to students at Anderson were proof of that.

No going online to buy; just free stuff from Amazon with hopes of fostering the use of technology among the school's special needs students, officials said.

The donation was also a way for the giant online retailer to thank the San Bernardino community for its warm welcome in the community, according to San Bernardino Unified School District officials.

In October, Amazon opened a massive distribution hub in San Bernardino called a Fulfillment Center, which officials said brought hundreds of full-time jobs to the city.

City officials touted the opening as a step toward bringing the city's economic base back to life.

On Wednesday, Amazon was feeling the giving giving spirit.

"We're so happy to be a part of the San Bernardino community and to give back today by providing 50 Kindles and $2,500 in content gift cards to the Anderson School," said Eric Lewis, general manager at Amazon's San Bernardino fulfillment center in a district news release. "The Anderson school is providing an invaluable resource to the community, and we hope these Kindles will ignite a love of reading in the classroom."

Anderson School serves students ages 12 to 22 who have physical, emotional and intellectual disabilities.

Anderson's mission is to help students live independent lives and reach their full potential at school and in their communities.

"Our students are so excited about the Kindles. So am I," teacher Julie Chesney said. "Thanks to those gift cards, they'll also get to use a wide range of apps designed for people with different learning needs."

Amazon specifically selected Kindles with e-ink and text-to-voice functions meet the special needs of Anderson students, the district said.